Volume 96, Issue 24
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
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Snake lady visits Western, no relation to Jake
By Marshall
Bellamy
Gazette Staff
The Snake Lady returned to Western with a bunch of crawling, slithering friends.
Val Williams, better known as the Snake Lady, appeared in the University Community Centre atrium yesterday as part of Environmental Awareness Week.
She had a wide variety of creatures to show curious students.
Among the exotic wildlife were giant African millipedes, hissing cockroaches, an Arizona tarantula, various snakes of different shapes and sizes and a very big bullfrog.
"I got my first snake when I was four and my first tortoise when I was six," Williams said, as she showcased her albino garter snake.
The bullfrog's ability to devour small animals was demonstrated, as it consumed three earthworms and one mouse in a couple of hours.
The presentation outlined important environmental lessons, such as Williams' assertion that millipedes and cockroaches are the best recyclers in the world.
"[I] absolutely love it; it's really nice to do this stuff with young adults," Williams said.
The Snake Lady drew mixed reactions from students.
"I'm petrified of snakes, but I thought it was cool," said second-year honours ecology student Amanda Shamshudeen. "It's cured my phobia [of snakes]."
"[The snake] is a little mellow, [he] doesn't make much fuss when I poke him," said CHRW 94.7FM co-op student Zack Groulx.
The snakes and other reptilian wildlife also brought out some nervous and fearful reactions among students passing by.
"Me... snakes... no... bad," said fourth-year history student Ryan Petrimoullx.
The general consensus among most of the student onlookers was one of comfort and calmness with the little creatures, as Snake Lady Williams allowed some of the snakes to crawl on members of the crowd.
"I love the sexy slither of a lady snake," said third-year administrative and commercial studies student Youv Ickowicz.
Whether students find the presentation cool or gross, either way, it draws attention to the week, said Nicole Nelson, University Students' Council VP-campus issues. "She's absolutely fabulous. She's great."